Nathan Williams is better known to the world as Wavves. Whether or not you are fan of his music you have probably at least heard his name thrown around…be it fights with other indie rockers, or a melt down on stage at a huge European music festival. There is no denying that Wavves have released some good music in the past. Anthems like “So Bored” still resonate in my head, and Williams’ better half Bethany Constentino, aka Best Coast, is covering it (you can see indie rock’s most famous cat in the photo above…yes that is none other than Bethany’s kitty SNACKS! Snacks also appears on the cover of King of the Beach as well as the new Best Coast album.)
Wavves’ new album King of the Beach will be released on August 3rd, 2010 by Fat Possum, and the first single “Post-Acid” is the same sort of uber catchy beach pop that Wavves have become known for, but most of the fuzzy lo-fi vibe has been shed, Williams vocals have become more pronounced, and his vocal range has increased. Ohhs and Ahhs have replaced the whops of the early albums, and as far as I’m concerned this new single is going satisfy old and new fans alike…lets face it if there is one thing Williams can do, and do as good if not better than anyone it’s write catchy beach laden surf punk. Get your taste of the new album right here:
[mp3] Wavves- “Post-Acid”
As expected King of the Beach is packed full of pop tracks like “Post-Acid,” but songs like “Baseball Cards” and “Say Goodbye Baby” are really showing a new side of Williams. “Baseball Cards” goes into almost a psychedelic circus vibe, but as if the circus was set up on a beach. “Say Goodbye Baby” brings as much of a throwback to 50′s or 60′s pop as I think Wavves will ever reach, and the end of the song ventures into a fuzzed out haze of psychedelics and electronics. “Convertible Balloon” is a minimalist whimsical pop jam that almost comes off cute-sy but someone how works, and “Green Eyes” is Wavves interpretation of a rock ballad, and while slightly unconventional in terms of rock ballads it is really well done including the chorus which really displays Williams’ voice (or the production as it may be). Overall the record comes off more polished, but in the best way possible…I think it’s exactly what needed to happen for Wavves to get me to listen to another one of their records. Whether you used to love this band, hate them, or have a new found fascination I recommend checking it out. Anyone who denies that Williams can make great pop songs isn’t doing him justice. I’m pleasantly surprised, and it’s still growing on me.
- Pre-order King of the Beach here.
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This Thursday is the L Magazine’s Northside Festival Opening Party:
Thursday June 24th, 2010
at the Knitting Factory
Wavves 11pm
Cloud Nothings 10pm
DOM 9pm
Doors at 8pm
$17/$19 day of
buy tickets here
While some people might complain about Nathan Williams live performance the only time I ever saw him he was top notch, and with an album as good as King of the Beach it is totally worth checking out.
It also doesn’t hurt that he is playing with some Great Pumpkin favorites: Cloud Nothings and DOM!
[mp3] Cloud Nothings- “Can’t Stay Awake”
[mp3] DOM- “Living In America”
- From Sun Bronzed Greek Gods. Buy it here.
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- more on Wavves can be found here.
- Check out all my write ups(including more mp3s, videos, and reviews) of Cloud Nothings here, and of DOM here.
- More on Northside Fest 2010 here.
- Northside Fest is a music, art, and film Festival happening in Williamsburg and Greenpoint Brooklyn from June 24-27th. For a complete schedule clickhere, to buy an all access pass click here.
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